Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76SEPTEMBER 2016 SEEDWORLD.COM / 33 BULK SEED SYSTEMS & AUTOMATION Automation Ensures Accuracy Accuracy. Accountability. Safety. It is required in today’s world. Concerns over chemical use, the environment, steward- ship and sustainability continue to be top of mind, and that’s why accuracy is core to success. Automation not only improves the accuracy, but the right system can also deliver accountability and safety. Having historical records of which seed varieties were treated with which and how much treatment is important to verify that your operator is correctly performing their job. In its most basic form, accurately treating seed is about delivering the correct amount of treatment onto the correct amount of seed. This type of accuracy and precision can only come from automated systems that eliminate human error and self-correct. It’s important to understand the different methodologies to control the flow of either seed or liquid. There are two KSI CONVEYORS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT JasonKaeb@ksiconveyors.com KSiConveyors.com JASON KAEB primary methods to meter both seed and treatment: volumetric metering and gravimetric metering. Volumetric metering uses a flow meter to monitor the liquid flow and rate of seed treatment and a seed wheel to deliver a specified rate of seed flow. With volumetric metering, a calibration process is required to ensure that both the flow meter and the seed wheel are measuring and metering accurately. Gravimetric metering uses loss-in-weight technology to determine the seed or treatment flow rate and does not require calibration. The treatment is placed on a high-resolution scale where it automatically meters the flow based on the changing weight on the scale. Seed is delivered from a scale hopper and the automation system controls a precise, adjustable gate to meter the seed flow at the desired rate into the treater. Regardless of method, automation brings together seed flow and liquid flow to accurately treat seed while maintaining environmental stewardship and operator safety. Remember: Upgrading an existing system to add metering for seed flow or seed treatment flow can incrementally improve the system, but it still requires manual adjustment by the operator. The most accurate, safe and environmentally accountable systems control both the seed and the liquid flow. BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Are You Disadvantaged Because of Disconnected Data? Does your sales manager depend on a specific software or spreadsheet provided by your production manager for up-to-date seed inventories, and then your accounting or billing department pull that information over to a new system for invoicing and accounts receivable? Chances are you are working with multiple “solutions” to piece together the data your business needs. While everything works on the surface, you leave yourself open to errors and create inefficiencies, resulting in a loss of productivity. It might seem simple at first glance but the challenges can go much deeper because each of these pieces has a ripple effect. For example, if your inventory records are inaccurate, and sales thinks you have something you don’t, it could mean having to reschedule deliveries. In some cases, bad inventory data means orders can’t be filled, which can lead to reduced margins. In addition to inconveniencing the customer, it also means duplicate efforts and frustration from your staff. CULTURA SEED SOLUTIONS SALES AND OPERATIONS MANAGER @mikedorris1 Mike.Dorris@Culturatech.com Culturatech.com MIKE DORRIS The seed industry is complex and the explosion of business information makes it difficult for even the most sophisticated companies to keep up. We know mobile technologies and business analytics that were once exclusively used by employees with specialized needs and skills are now common across the entire workforce. The seed industry is no different. There’s the need to track seed growers, acres, crop species, planted acres, harvested acres, yield, lots, treatments, location, inventory, lab results, sales, shipping and billing. If you had this data at your fingertips, would you make different decisions? And how much time would you save in making that decision? As I said earlier, we’ve seen an explosion in data and the ability to access this data. Integrating all these pieces helps streamline decision-making and business processes. In the past decade, software platforms have crept into every aspect of our lives, from banking to music, and from smartphones to controlling the thermostat and appliances in our homes. “Software has improved productivity and innovation in many industries, disrupted or destroyed others, and created entirely new business,” writes the editor-in-chief at Harvard Business School. What would having all your business’ data points connected mean for you? What could you do that you haven’t been able to? What would your business look like? And how would that change interactions internally with employees and externally with customers and suppliers?